Remotely Accessed Virtual Recording Room

ABSTRACT

An audio/video stream recording, storage, and delivery system  10  utilizes an Internet-based browser connection. The system  10  includes recording software  20 , storage memory  30 , a code generator  40 , and a user interface  50 . Preferably, the recording software  20  is located on the host back end  60  where it processes and records audio and video material that originates from the user front end  70  and is streamed to the host back end. The storage memory  30 , which is also located on the host back end  60 , stores the recorded audio and video material. The user interface  50  to the system provides a user located at the user front end  70  with remote access to a virtual recording room. The user interface  50  further enables the user to record audio and video material streamed from the user front end  70  by activating the recording software  20  located on the host back end  60 . This is accomplished without requiring recording functionality on the user front end  70 . The code generator  30  produces code associated with the recorded audio and video material. This code can be easily copied and pasted to an additional location  80 , such as an auction website. Activating the code pasted at the additional location  80  provides access to the recorded audio and video material from the additional location while allowing the recorded audio and video material to remain stored at the host back end  60.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a remotely accessed virtualrecording room, and more particularly to an audio/video streamrecording, storage, and delivery system and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the continual increase of online transactions there has been anincreasing need to improve the capabilities of online business relatedcommunication. One area where this is particularly true is incompetitive sale exchanges, such as online auctions. The greater aseller's ability to showcase products, the more successful their onlineauctions sales are bound to become. With the number of online auctionsgrowing daily, sellers are continuously looking for ways to improve thesuccess of these auctions. Sellers are continuously looking fortechniques or technology that will enable them to better explain whatthe products are that they are selling to potential buyers, as well aswhy those potential buyers should want the seller's products. Sellersalso want to be able to effectively demonstrate how their products work.Additionally, sellers sometimes need to be able to demonstrate theauthenticity of their products. Accordingly, people are continuouslylooking for ways to enhance their product listings and sales volume.

Unfortunately, new systems and methods for increasing the capabilitiesof online business-related communications and transactions often resultin increased intellectual complexity and/or increased computer systemrequirements. This tendency is undesirable because another main avenuefor increasing the productively of online business-relatedcommunications and transactions is to increase the number of people whoare participating in these online business-related transactions.Accordingly, it would be highly valuable if any new systems and methodsfor increasing the capabilities of online business-relatedcommunications and transactions also could be simple enough to helpattract new users to the online business market and also not haveextensive computer system requirements.

Accordingly, there has been a long existing need for a system thatimproves the level of communication possible with respect to onlinebusiness-related transactions. Further, there is a continuing need foran improved system and/or method that is simple, efficient, and does nothave extensive computer system requirements. Accordingly, those skilledin the art have long recognized the need for a system and method thataddresses these and other issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in general terms, a preferred embodiment of the claimedinvention resolves the above and other issues by providing anaudio/video stream recording, storage, and delivery system. A preferredembodiment provides an Internet-based recording system that performs allaudio and video stream recording over an Internet browser connectionestablished between a user front end and a host back end. A host is thisenvironment is generally defined as a company that is utilizing anaudio/video stream recording, storage, and delivery system of theclaimed invention. In one preferred embodiment, the system includesrecording software, storage memory, a user interface, and a codegenerator.

Preferably, the recording software, which is located on the host backend, processes and records audio and video material that originates fromthe user front end and is streamed to the host back end. The storagememory, which is located on the host back end, then stores the recordedaudio and video material. In a preferred embodiment, the user interfaceto the audio/video stream recording, storage, and delivery systemprovides a user at the user front end with remote access to a virtualrecording room. The user interface further enables the user to recordaudio and video material streamed from the user front end by activatingthe recording software residing on the host back end. Advantageously,this is accomplished without requiring recording functionality on theuser front end.

Preferably, the code generator produces code associated with therecorded audio and video material. The user interface is configured tofacilitate easily copying and pasting the code to an additionallocation, such as an auction website. The code facilitates accessing therecorded audio and video material stored at the host back end from theadditional location at which the code has been pasted. In this manner,activating the pasted code at the additional location provides access tothe recorded audio and video material from the additional location whileallowing the recorded audio and video material to remain stored at thehost back end.

Additionally, another preferred embodiment of the claimed invention isdirected towards an Internet-based recording method that performs allaudio and video stream recording over an. Internet browser connectionestablished between a user front end and a host back end. Preferably,the components required at the user front end include only a microphone,a camera, and access to the Internet browser. In one preferredembodiment, the method includes: (1) recording audio and video materialover the Internet browser connection, wherein audio and video materialoriginates on the user front end and is recorded on the host back endwithout requiring recording functionality on the user front end; (2)storing the recorded audio and video material on the host back end; and(3) providing access to the recorded audio and video material.

In accordance with one aspect of the preferred embodiment, the step ofproviding access to the recorded audio and video material includesenabling the recorded audio and video material on the host back end tobe reviewed at the user front end. In accordance with another aspect ofthe preferred embodiment, the step of providing access to the recordedaudio and video material includes enabling recorded audio and videomaterial on the host back end to be re-recorded from the user front end.In accordance with still another aspect of the preferred embodiment, thestep of providing access to the recorded audio and video materialincludes linking the recorded audio and video material stored at thehost back end to a pointer that is located in at least one additionallocation, in response to input from the user front end. Accordingly,activating the pointer then provides access to the recorded audio andvideo material stored at the host back end. In one preferred embodiment,the pointer includes a hyperlink.

In accordance with another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the stepof recording and storing the audio and video material further includesproducing hypertext markup language code that is associated with therecorded and stored audio and video material. However, in otherpreferred embodiments of the invention, other coding languages (such asDHTML and the like) are utilized. This code facilitates accessing therecorded and stored audio and video material. In accordance with yetanother aspect of the preferred embodiment, the step of providing accessto the recorded audio and video material includes: enabling access tothe recorded audio and video material stored at the host back end froman additional location by copying the hypertext markup language codeproduced at the host back end and pasting the hypertext markup languagecode to the additional location. In one preferred embodiment, theadditional location is an auction web site.

In accordance with another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the stepof providing access to the recorded audio and video material includesenabling recorded audio and video material on the host back end to beedited from the user front end. Preferably, recorded audio and videomaterial includes a recorded audio portion and a recorded video portion.In one preferred embodiment, enabling recorded audio and video materialon the host back end to be edited from the user front end includes, inresponse to input from the user front end, enabling audio material to bere-dubbed over the recorded audio portion of the recorded audio materialwhile retaining the recorded video portion of the originally recordedaudio and video material.

In accordance with another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the stepof providing access to the recorded audio and video material includes,in response to input from the user front end, copying (or downloading)the recorded audio and video material stored at the host back end to atleast one additional location. In accordance with still another aspectof the preferred embodiment, the step of providing access to therecorded audio and video material includes enabling additional audiomaterial, video material, or audio and visual material to be attached tothe recorded audio and video material stored on the host back end. Insuch a preferred embodiment, the additional audio material, videomaterial, or audio and visual material originates from the user frontend.

Another preferred embodiment of the claimed invention is also directedtowards an Internet-based recording method that performs all audio andvideo recording functions over an Internet browser connectionestablished between a user front end and a host back end. In thisadditional preferred embodiment, the method includes: (1) recordingaudio and video material over the Internet browser connection, whereinaudio and video material originates on the user front end and isrecorded on the host back end without requiring recording functionalityon the user front end; (2) storing the recorded audio and video materialon the host back end; (3) generating code associated with the recordedand stored audio and video material to facilitate accessing the recordedand stored audio and video material; and (4) enabling the generated codeto be copied and pasted to an additional location, wherein activatingthe generated code provides access to the recorded audio and videomaterial from the additional location. In one preferred embodiment, thegenerated code is hypertext markup language that is associated with, andlinked to, the recorded and stored audio and video material. In thismanner, the associated code facilitates access to the recorded andstored audio and video material from the additional location.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the claimed invention is directedtowards a similar Internet-based recording method that performs allaudio recording functions over an Internet browser connectionestablished between a user front end and a host back end. In a preferredembodiment, the method includes: (1) uploading photographic stillmaterial to the host back end from the user front end; (2) recordingaudio material, over the Internet browser connection, to link the audiomaterial with the photographic still material, wherein audio materialoriginates from the user front end and is recorded on the host back endwithout requiring recording functionality on the user front end; (3)storing the recorded audio material and the linked photographic stillmaterial on the host back end; (4) generating code associated with therecorded audio material and the linked photographic still material tofacilitate accessing the recorded audio material and the linkedphotographic still material; and (5) enabling the generated code to becopied and pasted to an additional location, wherein activating thegenerated code provides access to the recorded audio material and thelinked photographic still material from the additional location.

Still another preferred embodiment of the claimed invention is directedtowards a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, i.e., generally referring to anytype of IEEE 802.11 network) recording method that performs at leastpart of the audio and video recording functions over a connectionestablished between a user front end and a host back end. In such apreferred embodiment, the method includes recording audio and videomaterial over a Wi-Fi connection using a personal digital assistant. Theremainder of the Wi-Fi recording method is generally performed in asimilar fashion to the Internet-based recording method described above.

Finally, another preferred embodiment of the claimed invention isdirected towards a wireless mobile communications-based recording methodthat performs all (or at least part) of the audio and video recordingfunctions over a wireless mobile connection established between a userfront end and a host back end. In such a preferred embodiment, themethod includes recording audio and video material over a wirelessmobile connection. The remainder of the wireless mobilecommunications-based recording method is generally performed in asimilar fashion to the Internet-based recording method described above.

Other features and advantages of the claimed invention of the presentapplication will become apparent from the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the achosting drawings, whichillustrate by way of example, the features of the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an Internet based audio/video stream recording,storage, and delivery system that includes recording software, storagememory, a code generator, and a user interface, constructed inaccordance with the claimed invention of the present application;

FIG. 2 illustrates an audio/video stream recording, storage, anddelivery method, constructed in accordance with the claimed invention ofthe present application;

FIG. 3 illustrates a Wi-Fi based audio/video stream recording, storage,and delivery system that includes recording software, storage memory, acode generator, and a user interface, constructed in accordance with theclaimed invention of the present application; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a mobile wireless communication based audio/videostream recording, storage, and delivery system that includes recordingsoftware, storage memory, a code generator, and a user interface,constructed in accordance with the claimed invention of the presentapplication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the remotely accessed virtual recording room,constructed in accordance with the claimed invention, provides anaudio/video stream recording, storage, and delivery system and method. Apreferred embodiment of the claimed invention provides an Internet-basedrecording system that performs audio and video stream recording over anInternet browser connection established between a user front end and ahost back end, without requiring any recording functionality at the userfront end. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like referencenumerals denote like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings, andmore particularly to FIGS. 1-2, there is shown an audio/video streamrecording, storage, and delivery system. Specifically, FIGS. 1-2 show apreferred embodiment of an audio/video stream recording, storage, anddelivery system 10 that utilizes an Internet-based browser connection.In one preferred embodiment, the system 10 includes recording software20, storage memory 30, a code generator 40, and a user interface 50.Advantageously, users of a preferred audio/video stream recording,storage, and delivery system 10 do not require any specific expertise,special software, local server space, or special equipment. In onepreferred embodiment, the web-based audio/video stream recording,storage, and delivery system 10 is utilized in conjunction with onlineauctions, such as those available on eBay and Yahoo Auction.

While some preferred embodiments are described with respect to onlineauctions, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other preferredembodiments are utilized in conjunction with non-auction systems andservices, without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.These other preferred embodiments may be either Internet-based, oralternatively may utilize some other type of network, including by wayof example only and not by way of limitation, Wi-Fi systems, otherwireless LAN (Local Area Network) systems, and mobile wirelesscommunication systems.

In one preferred embodiment, the audio/video stream recording, storage,and delivery system 10 allows a user to quickly and easily recordaudio/video material, and place the material inside a third party onlineauction (e.g., eBay, Yahoo auctions, or international auction sites).Initially, a user accesses a web page that includes the user interface40 of the recording, storage, and delivery system 10. The user interface40 provides a virtual recording room for the user that is access througha web browser. As described above, no special software is needed inorder to utilize the recording, storage, and delivery system 10 of theclaimed invention beyond a standard web browser, such as is required toview any typical web page. This is in contrast to traditional videorecording and player systems that typically require some type ofadditional “plug in” or other additional custom software application tobe downloaded and installed locally. The only equipment required by therecording, storage, and delivery system 10 of the claimed invention is asimple web camera and microphone. The virtual recording room makes iteasy for the user to sign up (e.g., create an account) and to startrecording any number of audio/video streams. Preferably, the user can“retake” an audio/video stream as often as desired. The user interface40 of the recording, storage, and delivery system 10 then provides theuser with the code required to link and to allow access to the user'svideo from within the eBay or other online auction website with a simpleclick of a button. The audio/video streams created by the user arestored in storage memory 30, such as on a server, located at the hostback end 60.

Preferably, the recording software 20 is located on the host back end 60where it processes and records audio and video material that originatesfrom the user front end 70 and is streamed to the host back end. Thestorage memory 30 (e.g., a server), which is also preferably located onthe host back end 60, then stores the recorded audio and video material.In a preferred embodiment, the recorded audio and video material (e.g.,audio/video streams) are stored on audio/video servers at the host backend 60, and thus, do not require that the user have access to localservers or any other type of local storage memory 30.

Preferably, the audio/video streams are immediately accessible forreview using the system video player in the user interface 50 once theaudio/video streams have been recorded. Additionally, in a preferredembodiment of the system 10, the user can also instantly update theaudio/video streams using the virtual recording room of the userinterface. Such an update includes, by way of example only and not byway of limitation, re-recording of the audio/video streams, editing ofthe audio/video streams, re-dubbing only the audio portion of theaudio/video streams, attaching additional audio and/or video material tothe original audio/video streams, and annotating the audio/videostreams.

Preferably, the code generator 40 produces code associated with therecorded audio and video material. The code facilitates accessing therecorded audio and video material from any additional location 80 wherethe code has been pasted. Activating the code enables access to therecorded audio and video material stored on the servers 30, which arelocated at the host back end 60. Accordingly, with the click of abutton, the necessary code is saved to the user's clipboard, where thecode is ready to be easily pasted into a third-party website, such asthe user's auction listing description. This code gives all thenecessary information for a system video player to appear on thethird-party website (e.g. an auction listings) and to show the user'srecorded audio and video material.

As described above, in a preferred embodiment, the code produced ishypertext markup language code. Preferably, the code provides access tothe recorded audio and video material by copying the hypertext markuplanguage code produced at the host back end 60 and allowing the user topaste the hypertext markup language code to the additional location 80.In this manner, activating the pasted code at the additional location 80provides access to the recorded audio and video material from theadditional location 80 while allowing the recorded audio and videomaterial to remain stored at the host back end 60. It will beappreciated however, that other coding languages that accomplish thesame functionality may also be used, without departing some the scope ofthe claimed invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the user interface 50 to the audio/videostream recording, storage, and delivery system 10 provides a user at theuser front end 70 with remote access to the virtual recording room. Theuser interface 50 further enables the user to record audio and videomaterial streamed from the user front end 70 by activating the recordingsoftware 20, which is located on the host back end 60. The userinterface 50 is configured to facilitate easily copying and pasting thecode to an additional location 80, such as an auction website.Advantageously, this is accomplished without requiring recordingfunctionality on the user front end 70. The user interface 50 onlyrequires an Internet browser and standard Internet plug-ins.

A preferred embodiment includes a unique user interface 50 thatfacilitates the easy recording of any number of videos (either with orwithout accompanying audio), and thereafter placing these videos intoonline auction listings and auction stores. Preferably, the simplicityof the user interface 50 is achieved through the web-based, remotelyaccessible, virtual recording room. In a preferred embodiment, the userinterface 50 enables a user to enter a virtual recording room in whichthe user can easily and intuitively select any number of audio/videostreams, then record, playback, and/or re-record the audio/video streamsas often as desired. The user interface 50 of the audio/video recording,storage, and delivery system 10 enables a user to place the coderequired for use by a third-party website, such as an auction site, onthat third-party website using traditional copying and pastingtechniques.

In a preferred embodiment, the user interface 50 provides access to therecording software 20, and in this manner, enables the recorded audioand video material stored on the host back end 60 to be reviewed at theuser front end 70. This same access to recording software 20 via theuser interface 50 also enables recorded audio and video material on thehost back end 60 to be re-recorded from the user front end 70.Furthermore, user interface 50 facilitates linking the recorded audioand video material stored at the host back end 60 to a pointer residingat an additional location 80. Accordingly, activating the pointerpreferably provides access to the recorded audio and video materialstored at the host back end 60.

Another preferred embodiment of an Internet-based recording methodperforms all audio and video stream recording over an Internet browserconnection established between a user front end 70 and a host back end60. In one such embodiment, the method includes: (1) recording audio andvideo material over the Internet browser connection, wherein audio andvideo material originates on the user front end 70 and is recorded onthe host back end 60 without requiring recording functionality residingon the user front end 70; (2) storing the recorded audio and videomaterial on the host back end 60; and (3) providing access to therecorded audio and video material.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes enabling recordedaudio and video material on the host back end 60 to be edited from theuser front end 70. With respect to another aspect, the preferred methodincludes copying or downloading the recorded audio and video materialstored at the host back end 60 to at least one additional location 80.Preferably, the method includes enabling additional audio material,video material, or audio/visual material to be uploaded and attached tothe previously recorded audio and video material stored on the host backend 60. In such a preferred embodiment, the additional audio material,video material, or audio and visual material originates from the userfront end 70.

A more comprehensive description of a preferred method for audio/videostream recording, storage, and delivery is described below, with respectto FIG. 2. At Step 100, a user signs up or otherwise creates an accounton a website 102 that is utilizing the recording, storage, and deliverymethod of the claimed invention. Various techniques can be used topurchase use of the recording, storage, and delivery method through aweb browser, including by way of example only, and not by way oflimitation, credit card and PayPal transactions. At Step 110, a uniqueUsername and Password are assigned to this user. This allows a uniquevirtual recording room to be created in the user interface 50 that isaccessed using this Username and Password. Accordingly, at Step 120, theuser can log in directly to his or her own personalized virtualrecording room 122. The personalized virtual recording room includes anicon for each video that the user has purchased the right to record(i.e., if the user has purchased the right to record and store tenaudio/video streams, there would be icons for audio/video streams 1-10in the user's personalized virtual recording room). In a preferredembodiment, the virtual recording room in the user interface 50 furtherincludes typical video player buttons 132, such as RECORD, PLAY, PAUSE,STOP, and volume control.

At Step 130, the user simply selects the video number that they desireto record in their recording room in order to begin the video recordingprocess. The user then selects the RECORD button to record the selectedvideo number. After the recording is complete, the user can play backthe recorded audio/video stream to ensure satisfaction with the recordedmaterial by pressing PLAY button. In a preferred embodiment, at Step140, the user links their recorded audio/video material by clicking acode generator button, which generates a unique code for each recordedaudio/video stream, and copies that code to the user's clipboard. Thiscode is created differently, as described in further detail below,depending on whether the website at which the code is to be posted to isa full HTML (hypertext markup language) supported site 142 (such aseBay), or only a limited HTML supported site 144 (such as YahooAuction). At Step 150, the user then opens a website to which they wishto place their code, such as an eBay or Yahoo Auction webpage, and atStep 160, pastes the generated code into the respective additionallocation 80 at either eBay or Yahoo auction. Preferably, at Step 170,when the user completes the eBay or Yahoo submission, the video playerutilized by the audio/video recording, storage, and delivery system 10appears in the webpage, seamless with other items on the page.

A preferred embodiment of the audio/video recording, storage, anddelivery system 10 utilizes a Flash recording application. Within theFlash recording application, a user who purchases multiple videos canselect which video to record. Specifically, this application sends theuser to a frame in the timeframe that includes the audio/video recorderand gives the application definitions of the stream number, which isequivalent to the video number. Preferably, the other variables havealready been defined. These include by way of example only, and not byway of limitation, the height and width of the player, the location ofthe player, and the appinstance (application instance), which is passedthrough an ASP-generated flashvar (flash variable) in the HTML page.

Below are exemplary sample instructions that are utilized by the codegenerator 30, which are provided by way of example only, and not by wayof limitation. These instructions create the text for easily pasting toan additional location 80, such as an online auction website.

The following preferred embodiment instructions are for full HTMLauctions, such as eBay:

_root.createTextField(“mytext”,1,10,710,530,190); //COPY BUTTON seehttp://www.auctionvideo.com/record_thirty_new.htm_root.createTextFormat(“my format”); myformat = new TextFormat( );myformat.color = 0x000000; myformat.font = “Arial”; myformat.size = 10;myformat.leading = “−1”; mytext.multiline = true; mytext.wordWrap =true; //text below mytext.text = ‘<OBJECTclassid=“clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000”codebase=“http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0” WIDTH=“‘+swfWidth+’” HEIGHT=“‘+swfHeight+’” id=“play” ALIGN=“”><PARAM NAME=“FlashVars”VALUE=“appInstance=‘+appInstance+’&streamNumber=‘+streamNumber+’”><PARAM NAME=movie VALUE=“‘+swfLocation+‘play.swf’”> <PARAM NAME=qualityVALUE=high> <PARAM NAME=bgcolor VALUE=#FFFFFF> <EMBEDsrc=“‘swfLocation+‘play.swf’”FLASHVARS=“appInstance=‘+appInstance+’&streamNumber=‘+streamNumber+’”quality=high bgcolor=#FFFFFF WIDTH=“‘+swfWidth+’” HEIGHT=“‘+swfHeight+’”NAME=“play” ALIGN=“”TYPE=“application/x-shockwave-flash”PLUGINSPAGE=“http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer”></EMBED></OBJECT>’;mytext.setTextFormat(myformat);

The following preferred embodiment instructions are for limited HTMLauctions, such as Yahoo Auction:

_root.createTextField(“yahootext”,4,750,250,400,400); //COPY BUTTON seehttp://www.auctionvideo.com/record_thirty_new.htm //text belowyahootext.text = ‘<ahref=“http://www.auctionvideo.com/player.htm?appInstance=‘+appInstance+’&streamNumber=‘+streamNumber+’”><imgsrc=“http://www.auctionvideo.com/auctionvideobutton.jpg” width=“400”height=“108” border=“0”></a>’; yahootext.setTextFormat(myformat);

Below are exemplary sample instructions that are utilized by the userinterface 30, which are provided by way of example only, and not by wayof limitation. These instructions are used to copy the generated codeonto additional locations 80, such as auction websites. In a preferredembodiment, the FSCommand action is used to implement javaScript, VisualBasic, and ActionScript, which automatically places the generated HTMLcode into the user's clipboard.

The following preferred embodiment instructions are the ActionScript(button) instructions:

on(release){ fscommand(“myCopyCBFunction”, mytext.text); }

The following preferred embodiment instructions are the Visual Basicinstructions:

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE=“VBScript”>  <!--  // Catch FS Commands in IE, and passthem to the corresponding  JavaScript function.  Subtestmovie_FSCommand(ByVal command, ByVal args) calltestmovie_DoFSCommand(command, args)  end sub  //-->  </SCRIPT>

The following preferred embodiment instructions are the JavaScriptinstructions:

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE=“JavaScript”> <!-- functiontestmovie_DoFSCommand(command, args) { if(command == “myCopyCBFunction”){  window.clipboardData.setData(‘Text’, args); } }

Another preferred embodiment of an audio/video stream recording,storage, and delivery method is particularly advantageous for userswithout access to a web camera or for users with a slow Internetconnection. In such a preferred method, the user simply uploads one ormore previously recorded digital still images to the storage memory 30,(i.e., servers) located at the host back end 60. In one embodiment thatis utilized in conjunction with an online auction, these previouslyrecorded digital still images are of the item(s) that the user isselling. After the digital still images have been uploaded, the userenters the virtual recording room in the user interface 50. Next, theuser selects the RECORD button, and moves through the images one by onewhile providing a streaming audio description of each photo that isrecorded by the storage memory 30 at the host back end 60. As the audiois streamed to the host server 30, the recording software 20 tracks thecorrelation between the images and the audio being recorded. After the“slide show” of still pictures and associated audio material has beenrecorded, the user can review, record, and/or edit their show, just asin the previous preferred embodiment. When the user is satisfied, theuser selects a “copy code” button, just as in the previous preferredembodiment. This prepares the HTML code to be pasted into a website atan additional location 80, such as the auction description at an auctionwebsite.

In one preferred embodiment, this audio/video stream recording, storage,and delivery method is configured such that, as soon as a vieweraccesses the auction webpage for that particular item, the recording,storage, and delivery method begins playing this “slide show.”Preferably, the viewer can replay the “slide show” after it hasfinished, as many times as desired.

The following instructions are for the audio record/still uploadpreferred embodiment method:

_global.conn_nc = new NetConnection( );_global.server=“xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx”; _global.picXML_xml=new XML( );_global.XML_URL=“http://www.auctionvideo.com/uploads/“+appInstance+”.xml”;_global.picture_array=new Array( ); _global.curPic=0;_global.recording=false; _global.recordLimitSeconds=60;_global.mic_mic=Microphone.get( ); mic_mic.setRate(11); conn_nc.onStatus= function(info) { var infomsg = info.code; trace(infomsg); if (infomsg== “NetConnection.Connect.Success”) { goGetTheStream(this);getTheSO(this); } else if (infomsg ==. “NetConnection.Connect.Rejected”){ } else if (infomsg == “NetConnection.Connect.Closed”) { } else if(infomsg == “NetConnection.Connect.Failed”) { }; };picXML_xml.ignoreWhite=true; picXML_xml.onLoad=function(suc) {  if(suc){  _global.URL=“rtmp://“+server+”/ebay2/”+appInstance;  for(i=0;this.firstChild.childNodes[i]!=null;i++){  o=new Object( ); o.jpegurl=this.firstChild.childNodes[i].attributes.jpegurl; o.picnum=this.firstChild.childNodes[i].attributes.picnum; picture_array.push(o);  }  _global.maxPic=picture_array.length; loadJPG( );  conn_nc.connect(URL);  } else {  trace(“load failed”);  }} setW = f_mc._width; setH = f_mc._height; _global.wOffset=f_mc._x;_global.hOffset=f_mc._y; back or forward too far _global.loadJPG =function( ) { _root.createEmptyMovieClip(“jpgLoader_mc”, 50);jpgLoader_mc.loadMovie(“http://www.auctionvideo.com/uploads/“+appInstance+”/”+picture_array[curPic].jpegurl); _root.onEnterFrame =function( ) { if ((jpgLoader_mc.getBytesLoaded( )>4) &&(jpgLoader_mc.getBytesLoaded( ) == jpgLoader_mc.getBytesTotal( ))) {_root.onEnterFrame = null; jpgW = jpgLoader_mc._width; jpgH =jpgLoader_mc._height; if (jpgW>setW || jpgH>setH) { overW = jpgW−setW;overH = jpgH−setH; if (overW>overH) { perc = jpgW/setW;jpgLoader_mc._width = jpgW/perc; jpgLoader_mc._height = jpgH/perc; newH= jpgLoader_mc._height; jpgLoader_mc._y = ((setH/2)−(Math.round(newH/2)))+hOffset; jpgLoader_mc._x = wOffset; } else { perc= jpgH/setH; jpgLoader_mc._width = jpgW/perc; jpgLoader_mc._height =jpgH/perc; newW = jpgLoader_mc._width; jpgLoader_mc._y = hOffset;jpgLoader_mc._x = ((setW/2)− (Math.round(newW/2)))+wOffset; } } else {newH = jpgLoader_mc._height; jpgLoader_mc._y =((setH/2)−(Math.round(newH/2)))+hOffset; newW = jpgLoader_mc._width;jpgLoader_me._x = ((setW/2)−(Math.round(newW/2)))+wOffset; } } };checkButtons( ); }; _global.goGetTheStream=function(nc) {_global.slideShow_ns=new NetStream(nc);slideShow_ns.attachAudio(mic_mic); } _global.getTheSO=function(nc) {_global.slideShow_so=SharedObject.getRemote(“slideShow”,nc.uri,true);slideShow_so.onSync=function( ) { trace(“all connected up”); }slideShow_so.connect(nc); } _global.checkButtons=function( ) {if(curPic+1 ==maxPic) { a_pb.setEnabled(false); } else {a_pb.setEnabled(true); } if(curPic==0) { b_pb.setEnabled(false); } else{ b_pb.setEnabled(true); } } _global.changeNum=function(a) {a=(Math.round(a*100)/100);  return a;  }  function nextClick( ) { if(recording==true) { tempObj =new Object( );tempObj.clickTime=changeNum(slideShow_ns.time);tempObj.direction=“next”; clickHolder_array.push(tempObj); deletetempObj; } curPic++; loadJpg( );  } function backClick( ) {if(recording==true) tempObj=new Object( );tempObj.clickTime=changeNum(slideShow_ns.time);tempObj.direction=“back”; clickHolder_array.push(tempObj); deletetempObj; } curPic−−; loadJpg( ); } function saveClick(comp) {if(comp.getLabel( )=“Record”){ publishTheAudio( );comp.setLabel(“Stop”); } else { saveTheData( ); comp.setLabel(“Record”);} } _global.publishTheAudio=function( ){ recording=true;_global.clickHolder_array=new Array( );slideShow_ns.publish(appInstance, “record”);clearInterval(recordTimerInterval);_global.recordTimerInterval=setInterval(stopRecording,recordLimitSeconds*1000);} _global.stopRecording=function( ) {  saveTheData( ); s_pb.setLabel(“Record”);  } _global.saveTheData=function( ) {clearInterval(recordTimerInterval);slideShow_so.data.slideShow=clickHolder_array; recording=false;slideShow_ns.publish(false); delete clickHolder_array; curPic=0;loadJpg( ); } a_pb.setClickHandler(“nextClick”);b_pb.setClickHandler(“backClick”); s_pb.setClickHandler(“saveClick”);picXML_xml.load(XML_URL); stop( );

As mentioned above, other preferred embodiments may utilize other typesof communication networks, including by way of example only and not byway of limitation, Wi-Fi systems, other wireless LAN systems, and mobilewireless communication systems. In the preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 3, a Wi-Fi based recording method performs at least part of theaudio and video recording functions over a Wi-Fi connection establishedbetween a user front end 70 and a host back end 60. In such a preferredembodiment, the method includes recording audio and video material overa Wi-Fi connection using a personal digital assistant. In some preferredembodiments, the method includes recording audio and video material overa combined Wi-Fi and Internet network connection. Finally, in anotherpreferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a wireless mobilecommunications-based recording method performs all audio and videorecording functions over a wireless mobile connection establishedbetween a user front end 70 and a host back end 60. The remainder of theWi-Fi based recording method and the mobile communications-basedrecording method are generally performed in a corresponding manner tothe Internet-based recording method described above.

Furthermore, the various methodologies described above are provided byway of illustration only and should not be construed to limit theinvention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that variousmodifications and changes may be made to the claimed invention of thepresent application without departing from the true spirit and scope ofthe claimed invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the claimedinvention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

1-59. (canceled)
 60. A method comprising: receiving, at one or more hostback end application servers through at least a packet-based networkconnection, streamed digital audio and digital video material beingstreamed from a front end digital audio and digital video capturingdevice; remotely recording the streamed digital audio and digital videomaterial over at least the packet-based network connection at the one ormore host back end application servers as a sequentially stored file;generating a pointer comprising a URL associated with the sequentiallystored file to facilitate accessing of the sequentially stored file;enabling additional digital material comprising (i) digital still imagematerial, (ii) digital audio material, (iii) digital video material,(iv) digital video material and digital audio material, (v) digitalstill image material and digital video material, (vi) digital stillimage material and digital audio material, or (vii) digital still imagematerial, digital audio material, and digital video material, to beassociated with the sequentially stored file at the one or more hostback end application servers; and providing remote user access to thesequentially stored file and the additional digital material in responseto activation of the pointer comprising the URL.
 61. The method of claim60, wherein providing remote user access to the sequentially stored fileand the additional digital material comprises: receiving, at the one ormore host back end application servers, information related to a userinput activating the pointer comprising the URL associated with thesequentially stored file; and in response to the information related tothe user input, streaming to the user, from the one or more host backend application servers, the sequentially stored file and the additionaldigital material.
 62. The method of claim 60, wherein providing remoteuser access to the sequentially stored file and the additional digitalmaterial comprises: receiving, at the one or more host back endapplication servers, information related to a user input requesting toprovide remote user access to the sequentially stored file at anadditional location different from the front end digital audio anddigital video capturing device; and streaming the sequentially storedfile and the additional digital material from the one or more host backend application servers to the additional location.
 63. The method ofclaim 60, further comprising presenting hypertext-based programming codeassociated with the sequentially stored file.
 64. The method of claim60, wherein receiving, at the one or more host back end applicationservers through at least the packet-based network connection, thestreamed digital audio and digital video material being streamed fromthe front end digital audio and digital video capturing device comprisesusing a real time messaging protocol between the one or more host backend application servers and the front end digital audio and digitalvideo capturing device.
 65. The method of claim 60, wherein receiving,at the one or more host back end application servers through at leastthe packet-based network connection, the streamed digital audio anddigital video material being streamed from the front end digital audioand digital video capturing device comprises using a secure real timemessaging protocol between the one or more host back end applicationservers and the front end digital audio and digital video capturingdevice.
 66. The method of claim 60, wherein the packet-based networkconnection comprises a TCP/IP-based network connection.
 67. The methodof claim 60, wherein the additional digital material comprises digitalmaterial advertising a product or a service.
 68. A method comprising:receiving, at one or more host back end application servers through atleast a packet-based network connection, streamed digital audio anddigital video media from a front end digital audio and digital videocapturing device; remotely recording the streamed digital audio anddigital video media over at least the packet-based network connection atthe one or more host back end application servers as a sequentiallystored file; generating a pointer comprising a URL associated with thesequentially stored file to facilitate accessing of the sequentiallystored file; and providing remote user access to the sequentially storedfile and additional digital material comprising (i) digital still imagematerial, (ii) digital audio material, (iii) digital video material,(iv) digital video material and digital audio material, (v) digitalstill image material and digital video material, (vi) digital stillimage material and digital audio material, or (vii) digital still imagematerial, digital audio material, and digital video material, inresponse to activation of the pointer comprising the URL, wherein theadditional digital material is different from the sequentially storedfile.
 69. The method of claim 68, wherein providing remote user accessto the sequentially stored file and the additional digital materialcomprises streaming the sequentially stored file and the additionaldigital material from the one or more host back end application servers.70. The method of claim 68, wherein providing remote user access to thesequentially stored file and the additional digital material comprisesstreaming the sequentially stored file and the additional digitalmaterial from the one or more host back end application servers to anadditional location different from the front end digital audio anddigital video capturing device.
 71. The method of claim 68, furthercomprising presenting hypertext-based programming code associated withthe sequentially stored file.
 72. The method of claim 68, whereinreceiving, at the one or more host back end application servers, thestreamed digital audio and digital video media from the front enddigital audio and digital video capturing device comprises using atleast a real time messaging protocol between the one or more host backend application servers and the front end digital audio and digitalvideo capturing device.
 73. The method of claim 68, wherein receiving,at the one or more host back end application servers through at leastthe packet-based network connection, the streamed digital audio anddigital video material being streamed from the front end digital audioand digital video capturing device comprises using at least a securereal time messaging protocol between the one or more host back endapplication servers and the front end digital audio and digital videocapturing device.
 74. The method of claim 68, wherein the packet-basednetwork connection comprises a TCP/IP-based network connection.
 75. Themethod of claim 68, wherein the additional digital material comprisesdigital material advertising a product or a service.
 76. A network-baseddigital content recording, storage, and delivery system that performsdigital audio and video recording functions, the system comprising: oneor more host back end application servers configured to receive throughat least a packet-based communications network connection streameddigital media from a front end digital audio and digital video capturingdevice; one or more host back end content storage memory repositories,wherein the one or more host back end application servers record thestreamed digital media in the one or more host back end content storagememory repositories as a sequentially stored file; and a pointergenerator that produces a pointer comprising a URL associated with thesequentially stored file to facilitate accessing the sequentially storedfile, wherein the one or more host back end application serversassociate additional digital material comprising (i) digital still imagematerial, (ii) digital audio material, (iii) digital video material,(iv) digital video material and digital audio material, (v) digitalstill image material and digital video material, (vi) digital stillimage material and digital audio material, or (vii) digital still imagematerial, digital audio material, and digital video material, with thesequentially stored file, and wherein the one or more host back endapplication servers provide remote user access to the sequentiallystored file and the additional digital material in response toactivation of the pointer comprising the URL.
 77. The system of claim76, wherein the one or more host back end application servers areconfigured to provide remote user access to the sequentially stored fileto at least a device other than the front end digital audio and digitalvideo capturing device.
 78. The system of claim 76, wherein the one ormore host back end application servers are configured to receive thestreamed digital media from the front end digital audio and digitalvideo capturing device using at least a real time messaging protocolbetween the one or more host back end application servers and the frontend digital audio and digital video capturing device.
 79. The system ofclaim 76, wherein the one or more host back end application servers areconfigured to receive the streamed digital media from the front enddigital audio and digital video capturing device using at least a securereal time messaging protocol between the one or more host back endapplication servers and the front end digital audio and digital videocapturing device.
 80. The system of claim 76, wherein the packet-basedcommunications network connection comprises a TCP/IP-based networkconnection.
 81. The system of claim 76, wherein the additional digitalmaterial comprises digital material advertising a product or a service.82. The system of claim 76, wherein the one or more host back endapplication servers are configured to deliver hypertext-basedprogramming code associated with the sequentially stored file to bepresented to a user.
 83. A packet-based network recording system thatperforms digital audio and digital video recording functions, the systemcomprising: one or more host back end application servers configured toreceive a data communication protocol transmission through at least apacket-based network connection comprising streamed packet media from afront end digital audio and digital video capturing device; one or morehost back end content storage memory repositories, wherein the one ormore host back end application servers are configured to record thestreamed packet media in the one or more host back end content storagememory repositories as a sequentially stored file; and a pointergenerator that produces a pointer comprising a URL associated with thesequentially stored file to facilitate accessing the sequentially storedfile, wherein the one or more host back end application serversassociate additional digital material comprising (i) digital still imagematerial, (ii) digital audio material, (iii) digital video material,(iv) digital video material and digital audio material, (v) digitalstill image material and digital video material, (vi) digital stillimage material and digital audio material, or (vii) digital still imagematerial, digital audio material, and digital video material, with thesequentially stored file, and wherein the one or more host back endapplication servers provide remote user access to the sequentiallystored file and the additional digital material in response toactivation of the pointer comprising the URL.
 84. The system of claim83, wherein the one or more host back end application servers areconfigured to provide remote user access to the sequentially stored fileto at least a device other than the front end digital audio and digitalvideo capturing device.
 85. The system of claim 83, wherein the datacommunication protocol transmission comprises a real time messagingprotocol transmission between the one or more host back end applicationservers and the front end digital audio and digital video capturingdevice.
 86. The system of claim 83, wherein the data communicationprotocol transmission comprises a secure real time messaging protocoltransmission between the one or more host back end application serversand the front end digital audio and digital video capturing device. 87.The system of claim 83, wherein the packet-based network connectioncomprises a TCP/IP-based network connection.
 88. The system of claim 83,wherein the additional digital material comprises digital materialadvertising a product or a service.
 89. The system of claim 83, whereinthe one or more host back end application servers are configured todeliver hypertext-based programming code associated with thesequentially stored file to be presented to a user.